In this blog the co-Chairs Kevin Farquharson and Steve Beecroft we will be updating you on all things smart card, relating to local authority implementations and of course seeking your input and comment too. So…….why not help shape the future of smart card projects across the sector and contribute with your comments and share your experiences? Your input and feedback is critical to the ongoing success of the Forum.

Wednesday, 27 February 2013

Norfolk’s buses will be at the forefront of government ambitions for a
paperless transport system, with a £2.5 million pilot of smart card
technology, Transport Minister Norman Baker announced today.
The scheme, which will be funded from the government‘s £15 million
commitment to ensure all buses in England are smart enabled, will allow
the county’s entire bus fleet to be fitted with smart technology.
The pilot will last for 3 years but will be evaluated throughout so
that the benefits can be understood and used nationally before the end
of the trial.

Tuesday, 26 February 2013

Transport Ticketing 2013: How smart is your
ticketing?

This
year’s Transport Ticketing conference, organised by Clarion Events, gathered more than 400 delegates and covered many topics, including:

emergence
of new ticketing technologies best practice for implementation of new schemes

interoperability
in transport ticketing

and
the benefits that new ticketing methods bring.

The
growing interest to transport ticketing both from within transport and other market
sectors signifies that ticketing, through use of smarter technologies, is
becoming more than just a fare collection instrument.

The full report is available in the members' section of SCNF.org.uk here. To become a member for free click here.

Thursday, 7 February 2013

ScotRail and the Scottish Government are accelerating plans to offer Smartcard season tickets to customers.
The train operator – which runs 95 per cent of train services in Scotland - has already issued some 12,000 cards to staff and customers, providing a robust testing ground for a wider customer roll out this year.

An initial pilot on the Edinburgh – Falkirk High – Glasgow Queen Street route has been successful, providing impetus to extend the scheme.

An investment pot of around £2million has seen the installation and/or upgrade of equipment at 70 stations across the central belt, which will see key season ticket routes - Stirling, Ayrshire, Aberdeen and parts of Strathclyde- switch to smart.

The move is in line with the Scottish Government’s long term vision to have a ‘Saltire’ card that will enable passengers to switch between different modes of transport using one ITSO-compliant smartcard.

ScotRail is currently completing rigorous testing before going live on new routes, to ensure that customers get the best possible first impression.

“To encourage customers to make the switch, the entire Smartcard offering must be seamless,” said Sean Duffy, commercial director at ScotRail. “We are ensuring that we have all elements in place and working well before we go live: a dedicated website – where photos for Smartcards can be uploaded online; a specialist customer service team; reliable equipment at stations and on trains; and well trained staff on the
ground to assist.

“To support the roll-out we’re producing a range of marketing materials to position Smartcards as the best choice for season ticket holders.”